It is vital that you protect your eyes as the Sun’s UV radiation can burn the retinas, leading to permanent damage or even blindness. This can occur even if your eyes are exposed to direct sunlight, even for just a few seconds.

You should never, under any circumstances, look directly at the sun without the appropriate protective eyewear.

How to view a solar eclipse safely

The only way to view the Sun safely is to project or filter the sun’s rays.

Pinhole projector

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to watch the solar eclipse safely is through a pinhole projector or camera. A pinhole camera is a simple camera without a lens and with a single small aperture, a pinhole . It is effectively a light-proof box with a small hole in one side. Light from a scene passes through this single point and projects an inverted image on the opposite side of the box. Find out how to make a pinhole camera with our easy guide.

Eclipse glasses

If you don't think you'll have the time or simply can't be bothered to make a pinhole camera you can buy or rent eclipse glasses online. These are not ordinary sunglasses so make sure you get a special pair and check for any scratches or holes before putting them on.

In pictures: the last solar eclipse in Reading, 1999

How not to view a solar eclipse

You should never look directly at the Sun without any protective eyewear before, after or during a solar eclipse. Do not look at it through a telescope or camera lens without a solar filter. According to NASA, the following materials should never be used to view a solar eclipse: